8 Tips For Refinishing Your Kitchen Cabinets

If you've shopped for new kitchen cabinets recently, you know that it's often much more economical to​ refinish your old cabinets than to​ buy new ones. Here are 8 tips that will make your kitchen cabinet refinishing a​ huge success.

2. Take the doors off your cabinets and remove the handles and hardware. it​ will be much easier if​ you lay the doors flat to​ work on them.

3. Check to​ see how much damage there is​ to​ the cabinets. if​ there is​ only minor damage, such as​ dark stains around the door handles, just clean these areas. Use a​ synthetic steel wool pad because it​ won't hurt your fingers or​ get caught on the wood grain.

4. Dip the pad in​ paint thinner, mineral spirits, or​ turpentine, and scrub the stains. Then lightly scrub the whole surface, cleaning and dulling it​ so the new finish will stick. 5. Once you've cleaned the surface and removed the dark stains, wipe on an​ oil-based, clear finish such as​ Minwax. All clear finishes are low-odor and most are available in​ either glossy or​ satin finish. Apply several coats for a​ thicker finish.

7. When you're using the chemical refinisher, work in​ small areas, and scrub the finish with a​ synthetic steel wool pad. The chemical refinisher will remove the finish and even out the color of​ the wood and stain. Rinse the pad in​ more refinisher when it​ gets clogged with dirty finish.

8. The cabinet's surface should be smooth and evenly colored after you've scrubbed the whole surface. if​ you find it​ isn't, just wipe the entire cabinet in​ long, overlapping strokes with clean refinisher and clean steel wool in​ long, overlapping strokes. Most of​ the stain color will remain, and the wood will be very smooth.

It's extremely important that you wear protective clothing and make sure that your work area is​ well-ventilated when you're refinishing your cabinets. And don't forget to​ follow all safety precautions on the refinishing product labels.

By following the 8 tips above, you're sure to​ enjoy your newly-refinished, beautiful kitchen cabinets for many years.